GoKawiil
Tech News
Shares of leading quantum computing firms including Rigetti, D-Wave and IonQ climbed sharply even as broader markets fell. The gains follow confirmation that the US government has finalized substantial funding commitments to several of these companies, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars across three firms.
Apple Watch's GPS + Cellular variant, first introduced with Series 3, connects to your carrier's SIM automatically and lets the watch send texts, take calls, get notifications, and stream music independently of a paired iPhone. The standard GPS model still needs a nearby iPhone for most of these functions, while the cellular version works over 4G or 5G on its own.
Amazon and other retailers have posted the first-ever discount on Apple's newly announced M5 Max Mac Studio, even before units begin shipping this month. The same roundup includes lingering post-Labor Day pricing on AirPods Pro 3 at $50 off, a return of the $20-per-unit AirTag 2 deal, $100 off the base 2026 Studio Display, and $150 off the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air.
NextEra Energy has received a $1.9 billion federal loan to refurbish the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa, a nuclear plant shuttered since 2020 that Google pledged to help revive last October. The plant is slated to restart in 2029, with Google reportedly planning up to six data centers nearby, while only 50 megawatts of output will go to the local power cooperative.
A design educator who teaches a course on behavior change argues that every design decision—whether for a book cover, app, or ad—is ultimately an attempt to influence user actions, most often to boost sales or shareholder value. The essay contrasts public companies, B corps, and nonprofits, noting that even mission-driven organizations use design to drive fundraising or other outcomes, and that designers rarely know an employer's true motives until they're inside.
A recent earthquake on Norway's Jan Mayen Island triggered a rock slide, an event researchers point to as evidence that Arctic terrain is becoming more unstable. Scientists link the growing frequency and severity of such incidents to climate change, which is altering the physical conditions of the region's landscape.
Apple's upcoming 'Surprise and Shine' event is expected to introduce three new iPhones, including its first foldable device, rumored to be called the iPhone Ultra, priced between $2,000 and $2,500. The lineup will also include the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, both reportedly powered by a new A20 Pro chip, with the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air held back for a later announcement. This will be the first major product event overseen by Apple's new hardware engineering chief turned CEO, John Ternus.
Nintendo revealed a special-edition Switch 2 console finished in gold and metallic green to mark The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary, launching October 29. The Joy-Con 2 controllers feature original 8-bit sprites of Link and Zelda holding the Triforce, and the dock carries a large Triforce design, but the console does not include the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake, which arrives separately on November 5.
Amazon is selling Anker's compact Nano Laptop Docking Station for $111.99, a 25% cut from its $149.99 list price. The dock offers 13 ports total, including a removable 6-in-1 hub, and supports triple monitors via dual HDMI and one DisplayPort output.
Nintendo has announced its first special edition Switch 2 console, featuring Zelda branding and a departure from the standard black-with-accent-color design. The new version introduces a more vibrant color palette to the console lineup.
Google has shifted Chrome from a four-week to a two-week release schedule, beginning with Chrome 153 rolling out on desktop, iOS, and Android. The company says the change helps it manage a growing volume of security patches driven by AI-assisted bug discovery and faster-moving threats.
Jury selection begins in a long-running federal case against Huawei Technologies, which faces charges including wire and bank fraud, trade secret theft, and violating U.S. sanctions on North Korea. Prosecutors also allege Huawei equipment helped Iran surveil protesters during 2009 demonstrations. Huawei has called the government's case 'demonstrably false' and previously sought to have it dismissed as vague and overreaching.